a jig for routing sunburst designs
Hello,
I am planning on building a side board for my wife for the china she received on Christmas. We are retired to northern New Mexico. I want the design on the doors and sides to be a sunburst. We also have a series of cabinet doors and if this attempt at creating sunbursts turns out satisfying, all 12 will receive the same treatment.
I want to route out the rays into solid wood. I wonder if a jig, or plans for a jig, that would allow adjustability exists? I claim no great expertise as a woodworker but could create a metal jig for this process ahd have a relatively wide selection of router bits so that a pleasing ray of the sunburst could be created, I believe.
I thank anyone who has some expertise in this area for any information they would share with me in this regard.
Replies
Sun Burst
Hello -
Are you asking how to rout out different size circles for the solid wood doors ?
SA
reply to sunburst question
Hello to ( appropriately) Sunburst,
Yes, these will be panel doors I shall be creating for the sideboard and I want to route out a 1/2 sunburst design in them and also in the sides. We have a lot of plywood doors in a hall near to where the sideboard will be placed. They are structurally sound and straight but rather shabby looking. I intend on making a simple 1/2" solid panel cover for these doors and then create the sunburst finish on them also, in the future.
This design is quite appropriate here in northern New Mexico. I have never attempted to create such a thing before and really want to locate a device, which is adjustable for length and width, or else plans to make such a jig. I can make it out of wood plastic or steel or some combination. I also want to do this correctly the first time.
Thank you for your reply and Happy New Year.
Gene So
Hello
Since the panel isn't glued onto the door yet - you have more options. A scroll saw would be one way - cutting out both the inlay and hole in the panel at the same time with the scroll saw table on a slight tilt........ would make a perfect fit for the inlay.
SA
reply
Snce New Mexican furniture is quite basic I intended on not applying an inlay but use a bit to create a design in the relief which would be attractive.
Thank You,
Gene so
Being a fellow New Mexican, I'm assuming that is what you are aiming toward?
The Zia sun symbol is essentially a circle with four parallel lines radiating from the circle, centered on each of the four primary compass directions (North, South, East and West). The two center ratiating lines being slightly longer than the outside ones. I haven't seen published size ratios, but you could use an image of the symbol as used on the New Mexico flag to establish dimensions.
I would suggest using two templates - one for the inner circle, and a second for the radiating lines, both indexed to a common center point. I'd do a separate pair of templates for each size of symbol that you might want. Trying to make the templates adjustable in size would become rather complicated.
I'd use MDF for the templates, with the dimensions allowing for the size of the bit and guide bushing that you'd want.
However, from a practical standpoint, you may also want to consider the dust catching aspect of simple routed grooves. As such, you might want to consider doing inlays using a contrasting wood, rather than simple routed grooves. I know that complicates matters, but the resulting smooth surface will be far easier to clean, and have certain "domestic tranquility" benefits. ;-)
reply
Hello Ralph,
I see the Zia symbol every morning when raising the flags on my pole. I am interested in creating a tru esunburst of total reliefs in a 180 or 360 degree pattern, unlike the Zia. She who will be doing the dusting has indicated she is quite interested in this pattern and has chosen it. Now I have to find or createa jig that can duplicate sucha pattern.
Thank You,
Gene S.
Can't respond in detail because I'm not sure exactly what result you want - lines, circle and connected lines, relieved areas, . . . I don't think adjustability will be realistic goal. Attaching solid wood over panels to plywood may cause seasonal movement cracks if no allowance for movement.
You might look at router jig books at local woodworking stores and the public library to gain some insight into their limitations. The size of the router you have may also be an issue as larger ones are heavier and thus more tiring to manipulate. If you simply want thin lines, 1/4" shank bits should offer what you want.
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